Flirty Cupcakes (Truck)

Name: Flirty Cupcakes on Wheels
Chicagoland area
See website for weekly truck locations and hours
In addition to the truck, they also have a location (not on map...yet) at 1030 W Taylor, Mon-Sat 9am-8pm

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Price: $3.25
Boxing/Packaging: Fitted clam shell

PB&C
Cake: Chocolate
with chocolate cupcake filled and topped with peanut butter ganache
Appearance: 2

PB&C (Left) and Beached Coconut (Right)

Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Beached Coconut*

Cake: vanilla soaked in coconut milk 

with Coconut Buttercream and coconut flakes
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Additional Notes:

PB&C ganache was fresh and the peanut butter filling didn't make the cake soggy a day after I purchased it. This cupcake was simple but delightful and definitely for those who love chocolate.
The Beached Coconut*, according to my partner, was delicious because the way the icing/coconut is arranged. You get a little of everything in each bite!
I'm planning on visiting their "Dessert Garage" location soon because the truck was a fun experience.
Purchased on 6/30/2012 at the Holstein Park Centennial Celebration in Bucktown

* denotes that this cupcake was enjoyed by my research partner, M.G.G.

Cupcakes for Courage (Truck)

Name: Cupcakes for Courage
Chicagoland area
See website for weekly locations and hours

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Price: $3.25
Boxing/Packaging: Fitted clam shell

Spicy Sriracha Turtle

Cake: Mesquite Chocolate
with Fudge Buttercream and covered with homemade smoked caramel and pecans in spicy sriracha syrup
Appearance: 3
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Fun Fact: This cupcake was featured on the show Cupcake Wars!

Maple Bacon*

with Maple Buttercream with Bacon Bits on top

Turtle (Left), Vanilla/Vanilla (Middle), Maple Bacon (Right)

Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Vanilla/Vanilla*

with Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Additional Notes:

Don't let the Turtle cupcake surprise you like I did. I had forgotten the sriracha component to the cupcake and found myself appalled by it. If I had remembered that it was supposed to be spicy (due to the sriracha, of course!) then I think I would have been better prepared for such a unique experience. If you like spicy foods don't pass this one up. Seriously.
The bacon bits on the Maple Bacon* cupcake were more chewy than crispy, which gave them a strange consistency, according to my cupcaking partner, and the actual cake part of the cupcake was the best part.

Purchased on 6/30/2012 at the Holstein Park Centennial Celebration in Bucktown

* denotes that these cupcakes were enjoyed by my research partners, D.E. and M.G.G.

Swirlz Cupcakes

Name: Swirlz Cupcakes
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Address: 705 W. Belden Ave
Map (link above): bright green marker
Nearest El Transit Locations:
Fullerton stop of the Brown, Purple, and Red Lines
Hours: 
Mon-Sat 10am-7pm
Bake On-Site: Yes
Individual Cupcake Price: $3.50 
Boxing/Packaging: Plastic cup with lid
What makes this bakery special:
They offer multiple gluten-free options and a vegan option every single day! 

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Pineapple Right-Side Up

Cake: Pineapple cake
with Brown Sugar Italian Buttercream and Pineapple Filling
Appearance: 3
Size: Large
Bite #: 5
Moisture: 2

Pineapple (Left), Strawberry (Middle), Vanilla/Vanilla (Right) 

Gluten-Free Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry

Cake: Gluten-Free Chocolate
with Strawberry Buttercream and a layer of Chocolate Ganache and Strawberry Preserves
Appearance: 3
Size: Large
Bite #: 5
Moisture: 2

Vanilla/Vanilla

Cake: Vanilla
with Vanilla Buttercream 
Appearance: 3
Size: Large
Bite #: 5
Moisture: 3

Additional Notes:
The brown sugar frosting on the Pineapple cupcake was amazing...super light, fluffy, and packed with flavor. I could have done without the filling in the cupcake but it didn't take away from the experience.
The frosting of the Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry was also super light and fluffy and the ganache on top made it really taste like a strawberry covered with chocolate. The cake, being gluten-free, was actually disappointingly less fudgy than expected but still had a rich chocolate flavor.
The vanilla frosting on the vanilla cupcake was super, super fluffy (perhaps the lightest I've had so far) and the cake was super moist with a nice strong vanilla flavor. (I think this may be my favorite vanilla cupcake so far.)
Appearance bonus: the cupcakes are iced/decorated simply, yet they are still attractive and have a signature look that makes Swirlz cupcakes recognizable.
I like that they have multiple gluten-free options for those who have allergies and/or are on gluten-free diets. I also like that they think of vegans every day too by offering a cupcake for them.
The packaging was kind of strange (plastic cups fitted over each other, see photo above) but they sure got the job done by getting the cupcakes home safe. Kudos.

The display is inviting and easy to read and the employees are eager to describe the cupcakes and answer any questions you may have. 

The store is small yet easy to find with some indoor and outdoor seating.
Great for a quick stop in.
Quick service.

"Cupcakes Make People Happy."

The Cupcake Counter

Name: The Cupcake Counter

Neighborhood: Loop

Address: 229 W Madison 

Map (link above): dark blue marker

Nearest El Transit Locations: 

Washington/Wells Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple lines
Washington Blue line

Hours: 

Mon-Fri 7am-6pm

Bake On-Site: Yes

Individual Cupcake Prices: $3.00-3.50

Boxing/Packaging: Deep, secure box with inserts

What makes this bakery special:

A portion of the proceeds from certain cupcakes throughout the year support charitable work, such as the PB&J cupcake in May for National Foster Care Awareness Month.
Committed to green initiatives such as using 100% recyclable packaging, purchasing supplies from local vendors, and participating in a private recycling program.

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed: 

Pomegranate Berry

Cake: Pomegranate Berry

with Pomegranate Berry Frosting

Vanilla/Vanilla (left) and Pomegranate Berry (right)

Appearance: 3

Size: Average

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 3 (or even an imaginary 4!)

Price: $3.00

Vanilla/Vanilla
Cake: Buttercake
with Vanilla Frosting
Appearance: 3
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 3
Price: $3.00

Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice Cream Sandwich Cupcake
Cake: Chocolate*

with Vanilla Frosting                                          

Size: Average cupcake with one scoop of vanilla bean ice cream

Price: $4.00

*You can choose from any of the cupcakes!

Additional Notes:

Pomegranate Berry cake was super, super moist, fruity and had delicious berry chunks in it. The frosting was fluffy and light, which complimented the dense cake well. Overall, it tasted similar to Berry Pop Tarts.
The Ice Cream Sandwich cupcake is truly unique. You get to choose which of the cupcakes you want to have turned into an ice cream sandwich and they take the exact cupcake you chose, split it in two, add the ice cream, and hand it right over. I've never been much of a cake-and-ice-cream person but this was absolutely delicious! I will be back for another. That's a promise.
The vanilla cupcake was nice and moist (definitely can tell it was just baked fresh!) and the frosting was nice and smooth with no aftertaste, and perhaps a faint trace of lemon? Delicious regardless.
Cupcakes are baked in small batches throughout the day making them especially fresh.
Very, very tiny store...it's easy to miss (which makes it a true hidden gem) so pay attention when looking for it.
Simple shop and display but really unique, homemade products.
I recommend a quick drop in, although there is a small counter inside with a few stools. (But don't skip out on chatting with the friendly and enthusiastic staff!)

Sweet Mandy B's

Name: Sweet Mandy B's Old Fashioned Desserts

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

Address: 1208 W Webster

Map (link above): light blue marker

Nearest El Transit Locations: 

Fullerton Brown and Red lines

Armitage Brown line

Hours: 

Sunday - Thursday  8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday - Saturday  8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Bake On-Site: Yes

Individual Cupcake Prices: $1.25-3.50

Boxing/Packaging: Tall, fitted clam shell

What makes this bakery special: 

You're able to personally watch them ice the cupcakes fresh right in front of you.
It's tucked away in the lovely neighborhood of Lincoln Park, which gives it a homey feel and less of a commercial feeling compared to some other bakeries.

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:

French Toast

French Toast (left) and Vanilla/Vanilla (right)

Cake: Cinnamon Sugar

with Maple Buttercream

Size: Average

Bite #: 3

Appearance: 2

Moisture: 3

Price: $2.75

Vanilla/Vanilla
Cake: Vanilla

with Vanilla Buttercream

Size: Average

Bite #: 3

Appearance: 2

Moisture: 3

Price: $2.25                                    

Additional Notes: 

The vanilla cupcake was very rich, sweet, and moist and had a nice rich "homemade" taste to it.
The French Toast cupcake smelled and tasted just like real French toast! The maple buttercream was very smooth, rich, and fresh. The cake was simple and cinnamon-y and very fluffy.
The store is bright and colorful with helpful explanatory signage. The cupcake selection is on both sides of the register (which is in the center of the counter) so don't forget to take a peek on the other side, too. 

Further down the counter by the bar stools you can sit to enjoy your cupcake while watching them ice cupcakes in front of you.
Fast service.
Good for a quick stop in or for sit-down.

Indoor and outdoor seating.